Freedom of expression and gender equality are core human rights. But women’s voices and perspectives are still missing in most of the news media all over the world, The 6th Global Media Monitoring project indicate that women make up only 25 percent of the news subjects and sources. Could regulation and/or self- regulation of the media be part of the problem - or part of the solution - to increase gender balance in the media?

This mapping project, initiated by Fojo Media Institute in collaboration with Gothenburg University’s Department of Journalism, Media & Communication (JMG) and other partners1 is one in a set of country case studies conducted to understand how gender equality and women’s freedom of expression are integrated in media regulation, self-regulation and within media inhouse policies.

The foundation for this work is The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for the Advancement of women (BPfA) adopted at the Fourth United Nations World Conference on Women (1995) that called on governments and other actors to “increase the participation and access of women to expression and decision making in and through the media and new technologies of communication”, (Strategic objective J.1.) and “promote a balanced and non- stereotyped portrayal of women in the media” (Strategic objective J.2.).

Similar to provisions in other policy instruments prior to and following the BPfA’s adoption, area J intimated at possible tensions between guaranteeing (women’s) freedom of expression on the one hand and media independence on the other hand. Freedom of expression and media freedom, however, are not mutually exclusive. Both are necessary for democracy and protected in international standards. Only in a society where there is a plurality of voices that participate in an accessible and dynamic public sphere is there room for the development and improvement of democracy.

The case studies were implemented in some of the countries where Fojo is active, namely Armenia, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Somalia, Sweden and Zimbabwe. The case studies accompany a broader global study of gender in media law and policy at international, regional and country levels spanning more than 100 nations.

The national studies are based on a pre-formulated framework of questions and tables that then was adapted for the individual country. The inclusion of Sweden as a case was due to both the fact that Fojo Media Institute is based in Sweden and that Sweden has a high standard of living that includes a strong infrastructure both regarding gender equality and freedom of expression. (Due to time restrictions, the Swedish report is quite brief).

Ultimately, the global study and the individual country studies presented within the framework of Fojo Media Institute and its partners, seek to guide media development bodies and other stakeholders in their work to promote gender equality in and through the media with full respect for other human rights involved, particularly the right to freedom of expression and freedom of information.

Kersti Forsberg

Director, Fojo Media Institute